National League Roundup : Cardinals Win by Splitting Up Sutter’s Chores

When the season opened, Manager Whitey Herzog thought that his St. Louis Cardinals were missing only one ingredient that would keep them from challenging for the pennant: Bruce Sutter.

The bullpen star had opted for free agency. The Cardinals failed to match the Atlanta Braves’ offer and lost him. There was hope that Neil Allen would take up some of the slack.

The pressure of following Sutter proved too much for Allen, and the Cardinals were an early flop. Lately, Herzog has found a trio of relievers who may just get the job done.

Bill Campbell, a veteran who was a good one several years ago, and two relative newcomers, Ricky Horton and Ken Dayley, have been outstanding in recent outings. They have a string of 34 innings without giving up an earned run.

It was left-hander Dayley’s turn Wednesday at St. Louis, and he picked up another save with two scoreless innings in the 5-3 victory that completed a sweep of the three-game series with Atlanta.

Dayley saved the game for Bob Forsch, who not only pitched well but hit a home run in the fifth inning to break a 3-3 tie.

Forsch, who relieved Kurt Kepshire after the Braves scored twice in the first inning, went 6 innings to gain his third victory. He was the winner and also had the game-winning hit, his eighth major league home run.

“I didn’t expect to get it out of this big park,” Forsch said. “It was a pleasant surprise.”

Dayley had to work his way out of a jam in the ninth, when a walk and a single put the tying runs on with one out. But Terry Harper hit into a double play to end the game.

In his last 12 innings over eight games, Dayley has three saves and a victory. Horton, who saved Tuesday night’s game, has pitched 12 innings in his last nine games and has a save and a win. Campbell has given up two unearned runs in his last 10 innings and has a win and a save.

“It has helped that we have been scoring runs (85 in 13 games),” Herzog said. “With each outing, Ken and Ricky seem to get more confidence. Our bullpen may turn out to be pretty good.”

Chicago 7, Cincinnati 4--Pinch-hitter Ken Dayett hit a grand slam in the sixth inning at Chicago to wipe out a 4-2 deficit and give Dennis Eckersley his fifth victory.

Dayett, a home run hitter of renown in the minors, was 2 for 11 for the Cubs when he was sent in to face Tom Browning with one out and the bases full.

The Reds took a 4-2 lead when Alan Knicely hit a three-run home run in the top of the inning.

Pete Rose had two hits for the Reds and needs only 62 to pass Ty Cobb. He scored ahead of Knicely and became the all-time National League leader in runs scored. His 2,108th run broke a tie with Henry Aaron. He still needs 137 runs to catch Cobb in that department.

San Diego 5, New York 4--Terry Kennedy hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning at New York to tie the game, then delivered a two-out single in the 10th to win it.

The Mets had a 4-0 lead going into the sixth, and Ron Darling was pitching a one-hitter. With one out, Tony Gwynn had an infield single, and with two out, Graig Nettles singled. Kevin McReynolds singled in a run, and Kennedy followed with his sixth home run.

Gwynn beat out a bunt to start the winning rally. He went to second on an infield out and to third on another one. After an intentional walk to McReynolds, Kennedy bounced a single under the glove of second baseman Kelvin Chapman.

Rich Gossage pitched the bottom of the 10th to pick up his major-league-leading 11th save. It was only the third loss in the last 26 extra-inning games for the Mets, but their second in a row.

Houston 5, Pittsburgh 3--Alan Ashby, who hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning at Pittsburgh to tie the game, untied it in the 10th with a two-run double.

Jose DeLeon had a 3-0 lead and a three-hitter going into the eighth. He departed after giving up a two-run home run to Kevin Bass. John (Trade Me) Candelaria gave up the tying run, and Al Holland was the loser. Holland had allowed only one run in 21 innings for the Pirates.

Marvell Wynne hit an inside-the-park home run in the seventh, his first home run in his last 794 at-bats. In the second inning, Johnny Ray hit his 10th career home run for the Pirates----his first batting right-handed. The Pirates had failed to get an extra-base hit in the previous five games.

San Francisco 6, Philadelphia 2--Manny Trillo started three double plays in the first three innings at Philadelphia, then singled in the first run of the game to ignite a four-run sixth for the Giants.

Dave LaPoint, although he was wild and in a jam in every inning, lasted long enough to record his second win against five defeats. LaPoint gave up seven hits and walked seven in six innings.